How to Start a Summary: Sentence Starters & Examples
The hardest part of summarizing is usually the first line. Knowing how to start a summary — with a single, clear opening sentence — sets up everything that follows. This guide gives you the opening-sentence formula, a list of summary sentence starters, and examples for starting a summary of an article, a book, or an essay.
Need the full method first? See our step-by-step guide on how to write a summary, or the basics in what a summary is.
How to start a summary
To start a summary, report the overall topic right away in one introductory sentence that names three things:
- The title of the text (in quotation marks or italics).
- The author’s name.
- The main point or central argument, in your own words.
That single sentence tells the reader exactly what they’re about to get — before you add any supporting details. Write it in the present tense and skip your own opinion.
The opening-sentence formula
A reliable formula for how to start a summary paragraph looks like this:
In [Title], [Author] [reporting verb] that [main point].
Filled in, it becomes:
In “The Cost of Convenience,” Jane Doe argues that single-use plastics create more long-term expense than they save.
One sentence, and the reader knows the source, the writer, and the core idea. From there you simply add the key points in order.
Summary sentence starters
Stuck on the wording? These summary sentence starters work for almost any text. Pair them with a strong reporting verb.
Sentence starters:
- In “[Title],” [Author] explains that…
- [Author], in “[Title],” argues that…
- The article “[Title]” by [Author] describes…
- According to [Author] in “[Title],”…
- “[Title]” is a [article/essay/book] by [Author] that examines…
Good reporting verbs to start with: explains, argues, describes, examines, presents, reports, claims, suggests, shows, concludes.
Using verbs like these keeps the summary objective and tells the reader how the author is making their point.
How to start a summary of an article
For an article, name the publication too if it’s relevant. State the article’s title, author, and main claim in the first sentence:
In her New Yorker article “The Attention Economy,” Maya Lin explains how free apps are designed to keep users scrolling.
Then move straight into the article’s key points — no long wind-up.
How to start a summary of a book
For a book, open with the title, author, and the book’s central theme or premise rather than plot details:
“Atomic Habits” by James Clear argues that small, consistent changes compound into remarkable long-term results.
For fiction, name the main character and the core conflict instead of the argument:
In “Where the Crawdads Sing,” Delia Owens tells the story of Kya, a girl who raises herself in the marshes of North Carolina.
How to start a summary essay
A summary essay opens the same way, but the first sentence often doubles as your thesis. State the source and its main idea, then preview the points you’ll cover:
In “Shooting an Elephant,” George Orwell examines the corrupting pressure of imperial power, using a single incident to expose the cost of authority.
What to avoid in your opening
- Don’t start with your opinion — save reactions for a review or analysis.
- Don’t copy the first line of the source — paraphrase the main idea instead.
- Don’t bury the topic — the reader should know the subject by the end of sentence one.
- Don’t add background the source didn’t cover.
A faster way to find your main point
The opening sentence depends on nailing the text’s main point — which is exactly what a summarizer does well. Paste any article, essay, or chapter into our free AI text summarizer to see the key points in seconds, then use them to write your own opening sentence with the formula above. It’s a quick way to make sure your first line captures the real main idea.
Frequently asked questions
How do you start a summary? Open with one sentence that names the title, the author, and the main point of the text, written in the present tense. Report the overall topic right away before adding supporting details.
What is a good sentence starter for a summary? Try “In [Title], [Author] explains that…” or “According to [Author] in [Title],…” paired with a reporting verb like argues, describes, or examines.
How do you start a summary of an article? State the article’s title, its author, and (if relevant) the publication, then give the main claim in a single sentence before covering the key points.
Can AI help me start a summary? Yes. An AI summarizer pulls out the main point of a text, which is the exact information you need for a strong opening sentence you then write in your own words.